Busted with gun, drugs
Meth-dealing mum jailed for trafficking
A TOWNSVILLE mother who led a law-abiding life kicked off her criminal history with a “bang” when she was caught trafficking meth.
Jadeen Joy Turner was 27 years old with no criminal history when she began selling cannabis and meth.
In Townsville Supreme Court, the now 30-year-old pleaded guilty to 10 charges including trafficking dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and unlawful supply of weapons.
Crown prosecutor Tom
Hancock told the court that while Turner’s trafficking had only spanned two weeks from July 24 to August 11, 2019, she had sourced about 56g of meth for her business.
Mr Hancock said Turner sold meth to 18 customers in quantities from half a gram and had made “inquiries” with local dealer Jessie Wayne Lucas about sourcing an ounce of meth.
He said Turner had also bought about $4000 worth of cannabis, but the full scope of her offending could not be ascertained because she had used encrypted apps.
After intercepting messages between Turner and Lucas regarding the supply of a firearm, police searched her Hermit Park home.
A firearm was found wrapped in a roll of carpet in her bedroom.
The court heard that a jury in an earlier trial had “very quickly” found Turner guilty of the weapons charge. More than $2000 cash as well as 2.037g meth, a “very small” amount of MDMA and 90g of cannabis was found at her home.
While Turner was on bail, officers found 4.312g pure meth in 10g of substance, packaged in eight clipseal bags, and 21g of cannabis during a search of her car.
Justice David North said at 27, Turner had started her criminal history with a “bang”.
Defence barrister Harvey Walters said his client had used meth for a “short period” during a dysfunctional relationship – but no longer used drugs. He said Turner’s custody and separation from her daughter had caused a “great deal of distress” to her, and that there were hopes for her rehabilitation.
Justice North told Turner to be “careful” with who she associated with. Turner was handed a head sentence of three
and a half years, but must fully serve two and a half for the weapons charge – at which point the sentence would be suspended for four years.
A total of 226 days was declared as time served.